CRC History

Brief History of the Community Resource Centre for the North Thompson:

The Community Resource Centre for the North Thompson (CRCNT) began as the North Thompson Community Skills Centre (NTCSC) in 1996 as one of a number of initiatives under the umbrella of Skills Now (jointly funded by the BC Government and the Federal Government) to provide new community-based models and partnerships for skills and training. The University College of the Cariboo (UCC) was also a partner from the inception, and this partnership continues to this day (with the Thompson Rivers University, successor to UCC).

Initially the Skills Centre delivered a range of courses that benefited the community by enhancing employment skills, life skills, and social/ recreational abilities. However, in 2004 the Skills Centre expanded its mandate as a result of a BC Government grant to the facility to assist residents of the North Thompson valley recover from the severe economic impact caused by the closures of 2 large sawmills (Vavenby and Louis Creek) and the wildfires experienced in the summer of 2003. This broadened mandate included community capacity building, incubation of initiatives; community and business support services, and targeted skills training. The NTCSC was subsequently re-named the Community Resource Centre for the North Thompson to reflect this enlarged role.